Experience Rotterdam: Full-Time Students Edition

What were your first impressions in Rotterdam? Before I moved here, I heard several different opinions about this city, including “super modern”, “artsy in a weird way”, “very busy”, and “ugly with all those buildings”. We all perceive things differently, and seeing what others have to say about something might be surprising to others. Moving to a new city or country, for instance, comes with different experiences – good and bad. The beauty of it all is that we experience new (and sometimes even weird) things every day of our lives. You know what’s even better? Sharing your stories with others, that’s what!

Here’s what a few full-time students in Rotterdam had to say about their experiences* so far and my little two cents in italics:

Anonymous

Best experience: Sitting on a rooftop with friends, sipping a beer, watching fireworks, and listening to some music in the summer.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: One time I went out and, let’s just say, the night got out of hand. I woke up the next morning without keys and without my wallet. In desperation, I went back to the place I was at the night before and found my keys, wallet, and all contents of my wallet in the park across from the bar. I have never been so happy in my life. [Sounds like a great night to me, to be honest.]

Henry

Best experience: The Eurekaweek probably and a few chill nights in with the fellas.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: Once I was cleaning the house high out of my mind with my roommate whilst dancing to Grease.

Ron

Best experience: IBA Freshman Weekend.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: That would probably be when one of my friends from abroad saw a goose, freaked out, and took pictures of it like it was some sort of miracle.

Anonymous

Best experience: Stroopwaffels. [YES.]

Koen

Best experience: The Eurekaweek. [Introduction weeks seem to be a recurring best experience, hmm..]

Strangest/ weirdest experience: I believe that would be seeing 15 police officers on motorbikes escorting a car through the city by blocking off all intersections and roads along the way.

Anonymous

Best experience: The Christmas lights everywhere in the city in December plus the nice restaurants and cafes.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: Two boys came up to my friend and I in the evening/ at night and suddenly got angry when we didn’t want to talk to them.

Sarah

Best experience: Spending time with people from all over the world and learning from different countries and cultures while staying in my own country is probably the best. I don’t need to travel for international experiences.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: How the international deal with living in the Netherlands (e.g. trying Dutch dishes, cycling, etc.). [For the most part, I’m still not used to Dutch stairs, thank you very much.]

Best experience: Once my friends and I went to Bartender to have a few rounds of shots. Then, we bar-hopped between 4 different bars across the Stadhuis depending on which one had better music every 30 minutes.

Strangest/ weirdest experience: The first bar I went to charged me separately for the alcohol and soda when I asked for a mixed drink. [This is why we pre-drink!]

Anonymous

Best experience: Eating Cinnabons. [Say no more. FYI, you can get some in the Alexandrium Mall. You’re welcome.]

Strangest/ weirdest experience: This one guy licked my face at a party.

Be sure to be on the lookout for the next edition of this blog series!

~

Yashita here! I think I’m going to treat myself to a Cinnabon.. Cheers!

*Testimonials were edited for grammar, understandability, and clarity.

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International Students Rotterdam (ISR) is a student association based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands consistent of volunteers dedicated to a common goal. ISR has the status of a non-profit foundation and is therefore an independent organization.